The global textile, clothing, and footwear supply chain in Europe: Structure, trade flows, and risks

This paper analyzes the structure, dynamics, and risks of the global textile, clothing, and footwear supply chain in Europe. For the purposes of this research, the analysis of textile, clothing and footwear import into Europe is limited to the European Union (EU-27) for two reasons: it is the most important market on the continent, and the second is the existence of comparable and official statistical data. The paper examines the transformation of the European fashion industry from local production to a globally distributed supply model, with Asian countries, in particular China, Bangladesh, and Turkey, playing a dominant role. The analysis indicates that these counties are the primary suppliers of textiles and clothing to the EU, whereas China, Vietnam, and Indonesia are predominant in footwear production. At the same time, the paper highlights the role of logistics hubs, such as Dubai, as a key transit point in the distribution of goods from Asia to Europe. Attention is paid to the risks arising from the global nature of the supply chain, including geopolitical tensions; disruption of transport routes such as the Suez Canal and the Red Sea; disruptions in transit hubs; rising energy prices; and the impact on the "fast fashion" model. These factors lead to increased transport and production costs, delays in deliveries, and reduced profitability of companies. The paper points to the need to diversify and increase the resilience of supply chains to better cope with global economic and geopolitical challenges.